PREVIEW: MATCH WEEK 19

BILLINGHAM STARS kick off a new year in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 sitting pretty at the top of the table, but the pressure is now on to keep the momentum going starting with tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield Scimitars.

Recent defeats to fellow strugglers at the foot of the table have seen the Scimitars sink to the basement and in desperate need of some form if they are to battle their way out of the wooden spoon slot and up towards a playoff place. A side not without talent, Sheffield have nevertheless laboured for much of their campaign and find themselves with just ten points from their 23 games played. They will look to the likes of Kristian Pelling and Aiden Dancer to pull them towards the Holy Grail of eighth spot, and a home opener for 2025 against the defending champions may be just the motivation they need.

🔗 Sheffield Scimitars on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/8137/sheffield-scimitars

The Stars got the perfect Christmas present with the full nine points from their three games, Deeside Dragons just before Christmas and local rivals Whitley Warriors twice between Christmas and New Year falling to the title-chasers. The ‘Winter Classic’ double win also guaranteed the Stars progress in the Moralee Cup as group winners, Hull Jets awaiting them in the semi-finals in a few weeks’ time. But before Billingham can turn their attention to the Jets, the Scimitars are another hurdle that must be cleared if the Stars are to achieve their goals. They will need to do it missing several key players again, and expect to be short-benched at IceSheffield tomorrow.

Billingham will be in South Yorkshire for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 clash with Sheffield Scimitars, face off 4.20pm.

Weekend Fixtures:

NIHL N1 Saturday:

🗡️ Sheffield Scimitars 🆚 Billingham Stars 💫

✈️ Hull Jets 🆚 Whitley Warriors 🏹

🦅 Blackburn Hawks 🆚 Deeside Dragons 🐉

NIHL N1 Sunday:

🏹 Whitley Warriors 🆚 Blackburn Hawks 🦅

⚜️ Solihull Barons 🆚 Deeside Dragons 🐉

🐾 Widnes Wild 🆚 Nottingham Lions 🦁